They said they had received an approach from Surrey Chamber of Commerce to hold a farmers’ market in the High Street which could bring shoppers back to the town.

Currently the street is designated as a prohibited zone which means no street trading can take place.

However, the council has unanimously agreed to change it into a permitted road to allow potential traders to apply for consent to hold events in the road.

At the meeting councillors allayed fears anyone might have about regular trading as the change in designation means permission is required before an event can be held in the High Street.

Cllr Stewart Stevenson, executive member for regulatory services, said: “We had the French market in Pembroke Broadway in the centre of town and it was very popular.

“The chamber of commerce and the High Street traders thought it would be an excellent idea to have similar events on a very odd occasion, especially in the summer.”

He did not know when the next market would be held as that will be decided by the High Street traders and the chamber.

The councillor added that traders would benefit as other towns in the area had had markets which had attracted more shoppers. “The benefits to the community will be fresh produce and organic produce all available,” he said.

Although some traders on the High Street are in favour of the market others have reservations.

Store manager of Cruse, Graham Brown, said the High Street is not big enough to hold a farmers’ market.

He said: “It’s the wrong business to have on the High Street. If it were somewhere else it wouldn’t be a problem.

“Markets don’t attract the customers that Camberley needs. The town needs mainstream shoppers not a specific market place.”

Mr Brown added: “They should put it on Park Street because they have closed the shops there.”

James Wall, of Rooms of Cards Newsagents, doubted that an irregular market would bring the town benefits.

He said: “I don’t think it would help us. Customers would not be able to park outside. We get a lot out of people pulling up on the High Street and coming in. If there are a lot of people will they still come in?”

He didn’t think ad-hoc markets would attract people in the same way as a regular market.

Debbie Wilsher of the Good Taste Bakery and Good Taste Coffee is more optimistic.

She said: “I don’t think it will affect us directly because we have regular customers but I think it’s a good thing.

“Hopefully it will bring more people to Camberley — especially with all the building work in Park Street.”

“Other towns hold markets. Camberley needs to catch up really.”

Cllr Stevenson said it was not possible to hold markets on Park Street because of construction work.

“It might have been a good idea in the past but now it’s not a good street to have it done,” he explained. “We must trial it to see how it gets on and then decide if any changes need to be made to any aspect of it.”